Kyrgios Rusty In Return, Apologizes To His Fans On Social Media

Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios

WASHINGTON, June 14, 2023 (by Michael Dickens)

Nick Kyrgios made his 2023 debut at the BOSS Open, an ATP 250 grass tournament in Stuttgart, Germany, Tuesday afternoon. It’s a match the mercurial but physically-struggling Australian would just as soon forget.

The 25th-ranked Kyrgios, who had surgery last January to repair a small tear in his left lateral meniscus, showed plenty of rust and lost 7-5, 6-3 to Wu Yibing of China in just 69 minutes. Although Kyrgios struck 15 aces, he struggled to win points on his second serve and was broken twice. He was unable to break Wu’s serve and was outpointed 70-56.

Afterward, the 28-year-old Kyrgios, last year’s semifinalist at Stuttgart – who at times struggled to walk – took to social media to apologize for his performance.

“Be patient with me my fans please. … It’s a process to get back to where I was. I know it’s hard for you to see me perform like today, but I need more time and hopefully can get back to where I was,” Kyrgios wrote on Twitter.

 

By midnight Tuesday (Central European), Kyrgios’ missive had received 385,000 impressions and been liked by nearly 6,900 fans.

Win or lose, Venus Williams still a joy to watch

With nothing left to prove, five-time Wimbledon champ Venus Williams still loves to play tennis at age 42 – especially on grass.

On Tuesday, Williams, the winner of 49 career titles (including seven majors) and more than $42 million in prize money, played her first match in five months and drew a packed crowd – including her younger sister, 23-time Grand Slam titlist Serena Williams – for her first-round match at the Libema Open in the Netherlands. The older Williams, who is now ranked 696th and turns 43 on Saturday, led by a set and a break before losing to 17-year-old wild card Celine Naef of Switzerland. The No. 202 Swiss teenager beat Williams, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2.

“I cannot believe I had the chance to play against Venus,” Naef said, quoted by the WTA website. “She’s an amazing player and really a role model for everyone.”

Krajicek climbs to Doubles World No. 1

Austin Krajicek of the United States has climbed to World No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Doubles Rankings for the first time in his career. It happened after he earned his first major doubles title alongside veteran Croatian Ivan Dodig by winning the French Open Saturday.

“Of course, reaching No. 1 really is an honor,” the 32-year-old, left-handed Krajicek told the ATP Tour website, after he and Dodig defeated Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen of Belgium, 6-3, 6-1. “It’s an incredible honor to be on that list of guys and it’s always been a goal of mine since I was a little kid. There’s no doubt about that. I think a lot of players have that [goal].”

Krajicek and Dodig, who have been partnered in doubles since April 2022, qualified for last year’s Nitto ATP Finals with titles won at Naples and Basel. This year, they are the top-ranked team doubles after winning titles at Rotterdam, Monte Carlo and Roland Garros.

“It’s amazing to have an incredible partner like Ivan, who’s not only a great player and obviously one of the best in history, but a great guy, a great leader,” said Krajicek, who won the 2011 NCAA doubles title with Jeff Dadamo at Texas A&M. “I’ve learned so much from him, so. I h experience that he’s brought in how to handle these tough moments and be professional and expect to win and make a great team.”

Does a 23rd Grand Slam title make Djokovic the GOAT?

If one measures greatness simply by statistics, as British tennis commentator Abigail Johnson suggests, Novak Djokovic is arguably the greatest tennis player of all time. She discussed the subject this week on the BBC World Service.

Swiatek slayed Paris with a smile

A day after winning her third career French Open singles title, Iga Swiatek enjoyed a photo session posing with the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen trophy.

By the numbers

Biatriz Haddad Maia has become the first woman from Brazil to enter the world’s Top 10 following her semifinal run at the French Open. She strung together five straight wins at Roland Garros, including in the quarterfinals over World No. 7 Ons Jabeur before losing to the eventual champion, World No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland, 6-2, 7-6 (7). The 27-year-old Haddad Maia is 22-13 this season.

“Quotable …”

“I need to be realistic; my best level will take time and matches. I am putting in the work and the results will follow. I am fully focused on doing all I can to be match ready for Queen’s.”

– Matteo Berrettini of Italy, the defending champion at the BOSS Open, following a first-round loss to Lorenzo Sonego Monday. It was Berrettini’s first match since Monte Carlo and only his 18th of the season due to an abdominal muscle injury.

 

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